#LegacyBuilders LegacyLeaders LegacyMindset TogetherWeRise

[legacybuilders-blog]

My main original goal for this course was to narrow down my future thesis in preparation for a doctoral journey.  I also wanted to make sure I identified our venture pivot in our business model and to clearly identify our return of investment points for potential funding sources.  

These goals were met by the compilation of a final presentation project for this degree plan.  This presentation required a deep review of all coursework taken throughout this program. The constant requirement that I be able to address “why” I am pursuing this venture helped bring my hypothesis regarding entrepreneurship in minority communities in to clearer view.  

The explainer video, business feasibility video, elevator pitch, and marketing video required in this course all helped this process by forcing me to look at data deeper than my own ideals or vantage point. The thesis and my business “why” became more than numbers and percentages, it began to speak from my heart versus my head. One would think the best ideas about potential content to defend in thesis and dissertation would come from cold hard facts.  I have come to believe; these topics are best found from die hard curiosity and an unyielding desire for answers and solutions to things that pain our society. I want to know why the black community does not produce more than 5.9% of the total small businesses in the United States and why 70% of all small business do not remain in existence beyond their 5 year of business.  

In this final course I was stretched beyond my comfort zone.  I am accustomed to speaking to investors, peers, clients and others from the aspect of our corporate heart.  I can speak to the passion of our “why” and to the need for a resolution easily.  However, to do so from the place of logic and numbers is not my strength.  My business partner and I usually tag team presentations such as this.  This course, in particular, taught me how to incorporate the passion and heart behind our “why” with the logic of our company structure and model.  

The future use of what I learned are applicable in many areas of life.  The final presentation is a product I can tweak, update and reuse when presenting to various audiences.  That is the most obvious take-away.  And yet, there are several non-tangible lessons learned as well.  This course taught me how to incorporate both heart and data in my conversations about this venture.  This course also assisted me in overcoming my feelings of inadequacy due to my speech impediment.   Overall, the wrap up and culmination of this degree path provided the much needed re-set for my business venture.